Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Encounter

At dusk depart from Stewart Island's Halfmoon Bay in our catamaran for a cruise across Paterson Inlet to Little Glory Cove. During the cruise pass Ulva Island (a predator-free sanctuary) and learn about Stewart Island's rich history. Once at Little Glory Cove, disembark onto a wharf at the southern part of the peninsula known as The Neck.

The walk, led by your nature guide, is on a well-formed track across the peninsula, through spectacular coastal forest to a secluded sandy beach.

As dusk sets in and daylight diminishes, venture by torchlight through the native forest with the stars and forest night sounds around you. The walk will take about 45 minutes one-way and the track emerges on to Ocean Beach. This wide sandy beach is where kiwi are often found feeding among the grasses and seaweed.

Here in the darkness you will get to see the Southern brown kiwi (Rakiura Tokoeka) - often searching for food.

Afterwards retrace your steps through the forest to Little Glory Wharf for your catamaran ride back to Oban township on Stewart Island.

Includes a scenic evening cruise across Paterson Inlet

Experienced nature guide

Guided walk (approx. 2 hours)

Complimentary tea & coffee on board

Small group - 8 per guide, max 16 per night

Departs: Main Wharf, Oban - Stewart Island (ferry service to Stewart Island is separate to this)

Departure times: These vary each month, according to dusk times

Duration: 4 hours (approx.)

Suitable for all ages 15 years and over

Please note that due to the late departure times, you will need arrange accommodation on Stewart Island for the evening.

“Kiwi Guarantee” - If you don’t see a kiwi we will refund you 50% of your ticket price or give you a ticket to come back another evening (subject to availability).

Important information

A reasonable level of fitness is required (total walking time approximately 2 hours depending on kiwi behaviour). The walking track can be uneven and muddy at times, therefore please ensure you wear adequate footwear and are dressed for warmth including a wind and waterproof jacket. On occasions we may need to cancel a trip due to weather - please ensure that you provide contact information, so that we can keep you updated.

Kiwi guarantee

If you don’t see a kiwi we will refund you 50% of your ticket price or give you a ticket to come back another evening (subject to availability).

About Rakiura Tokoeka/Southern Brown Kiwi

The Rakiura Tokoeka is found on Stewart Island. They stand approximately 40cm tall, weigh 4kg and their beak is 18-20cm long. Stewart Island tokoeka are stocky round birds and one of the largest variants of the Southern brown kiwi, with females reaching weights of over 4kg. Tokoeka means "weka with a walking stick" which references their long beak.

Tokoeka are a taonga species (a natural treasure and highly valued) for Rakiura Maori.The kiwi relies on a highly developed sense of smell and touch, rather than sight. They have whiskers on their face and around the base of its beak. The kiwi is the only bird in the world with external nostrils at the tip of its beak. Kiwi tap the ground with their beak, probing the soil to find worms or other invertebrates under the surface. They build burrows like a badger, and sleep standing up.

Kiwi are omnivores. Their stomachs contain grit and small stones, to help in the digestion process. Most of their food is invertebrates and especially native worms. The Rakiura Tokoeka are closely related to Fiordland Tokoeka, however genetic research has suggested that these Stewart Island birds are genetically different - enough to consider them as a separate species.

Kiwi face threats from three directions: predators, loss of habitat and people. The main predators are stoats, cats and dogs – which take a heavy toll on young birds during their first three months of life. Even rats have a major impact on food supply by removing the forage layer of invertebrates.

This was one of the highlights of our holidays in Australia and New Zealand over the last 2 years. We did see kiwi on the beach and in the bush as well as an excellent view of the Milky Way. Go prepared for all types of weather. We had lightning and a brief hailstorm as well as clear skies in the same trip!!

I cannot recommend this enough! Saw three kiwis and a very over excited sea lion too. The whole thing was just great- an amazing walk through the woods in the dark, spotting a kiwi on the beach, getting so close to it that if we wanted we could have touched it, watching for 10 or 15 minutes as it caught bugs and dug in the sand. The guides were fantastic, really knowledgeable, organised friendly and you could really tell how much they loved the birds. We spent ages after the tour chatting to them about the birds and the other wildlife, and it was lovely to hear all their stories. The guides were what made the trip so good! Would 100% recommend.

We had about 16 passengers in our group with two guides. When we arrived at the location we split into two groups. Almost immediately from the boat the guide sensed that there was a Kiwi close at hand so she let our group slowly through the forest. When we entered the beach she scanned the area for sea lions so we wouldn't be in danger. After 20 minutes of walking down the beach we came across a Kiwi foraging for a meal. We stayed with the Kiwi for at least 20 more minutes and got the 2nd group to share the wonder. After we left the beach and were walking back to the boat in the forest we spotted another Kiwi walking down our path. It was a marvelous night of discovery.

This trip was a treat. We were very lucky to be able to follow a kiwi along the beach as it fed off sand hoppers and then it drank from a fresh water stream. It was completely oblivious to our presence and because we could spread out in a line on the beach everybody could get a great view. Our encounter lasted at least 30 minutes. Our group was very well behaved and quiet. The guides Maia and Jos were both very informative and enthusiastic.

Prepare to spend 4 or more hours outside, perhaps rather cold and damp. Our wonderful guides found several kiwis for us to watch as they fed near the beach. It was a thrill to see them, particularly since one was within a few feet of our group. The kiwis were pretty much oblivious to us, as long as we kept very still and quiet, very intent on getting their night's worth of bugs. We were surprised at how large and fluffy they are.

The night excursion was a full success. The staff very well prepared, knowledgeable hostile. The outing was relaxed, no rush and we returned well after midnight. The way is partially muddy, bring good shoes and binoculars not necessary.

I have no words to explain the wild kiwi encounter! Very surreal – currently basking in a post kiwi glow (that is a thing).

We hadn’t been on the track for long and a kiwi came up to one of the ladies in our tour group and nibbled at her shoes. We all got to watch and then it scampered off into the bushes. We thought that was it and then it came back for a second nibble!! Followed by it strolling (like a rock star) through the group and back into the bushes. It doesn’t even sound (or seem real) but that happened and I’m slightly jealous that Stewart Island locals see kiwis on such a weekly basis ........ Definitely a must try when you're in Southland!!